Sustainable fabrics for responsible furniture production

For the Interstuhl Group, sustainability is not a trend, but an integral part of our corporate strategy. Our responsibility towards the environment and society is reflected in all areas – from energy-efficient production and the use of renewable energies to the development of durable and resource-saving products. Our goal is to make the entire life cycle of our products as environmentally friendly as possible.

A key component of this is the selection of suitable materials. In the field of upholstery and cover fabrics in particular, innovative textile technologies are creating new opportunities to combine ecological responsibility with functional quality.

Below, we present four sustainable fabrics that we use regularly: Chili, Climatex Ultra, Manhattan and Sealife.

Chili – recycling meets fire resistance

Chili combines safety and sustainability in one material. It consists of 100% post-consumer recycled polyester (PCR) obtained from recycled PET bottles, setting new standards in combining environmental awareness and functionality. While conventional flame-retardant textiles often rely on chemical additives, Chili uses recycled fibres that already have flame-retardant properties.

The result is a durable and sustainable upholstery fabric that meets high safety requirements while reducing its ecological footprint. Chili demonstrates that technical performance and sustainable material selection are not mutually exclusive, but rather complement each other perfectly.

Climatex Ultra – Circular textile innovation from production waste

The Ultra fabric line from Climatex consistently implements the concept of the circular economy. As part of the EU and Interreg-funded Re:Circled project, Climatex is working with partners from research and industry – including the college of Albstadt-Sigmaringen, Interstuhl and the Swiss innovation company RethinkResource – on a model that takes a fully circular approach to textile production.

The aim is to no longer regard cutting scraps from furniture production as waste, but as a valuable resource. Thanks to the special Dualcycle technology with Weavelock structure, Climatex fabrics can be separated into their material components by type.

In an environmentally friendly process – using only heat, pressure and water – the fibres can be separated from each other and then returned to both the biological and technological cycles. This creates a closed system that saves resources, reduces emissions and underlines Interstuhl's commitment to aligning production processes with circular value creation in the long term.

Manhattan – Design and sustainability in balance

The Manhattan fabric developed by Camira is part of the 'Recycled Polyester Collection' and is made entirely from post-consumer recycled polyester (PCR). The material combines modern aesthetics, high durability and clear environmental responsibility.

Its production demonstrates how established recycling processes can be implemented on an industrial scale. The polyester is collected, processed, melted down and turned into new fibres or yarns. These can then be woven into high-quality, sustainable furniture textiles.

With its durable quality and diverse colour palette, Manhattan is particularly suitable for use in office environments. It is therefore used in a wide range of Interstuhl office furniture.

Sealife – fabrics made from marine plastic

The Sealife fabric from Fidivi Tessitura Vergnano was developed in collaboration with the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE. This global organisation collects plastic waste from oceans and coastal regions, processes it and transforms it into SEAQUAL® YARN – a yarn that consists of at least ten percent upcycled marine plastic and is supplemented by 90 percent recycled polyester.

The sustainable Sealife textile is made from this yarn and thus contributes directly to cleaning up the oceans. The material also impresses with its high technical quality: with an abrasion resistance of 100,000 rub cycles, very good pilling values and high light fastness, it meets all requirements for commercial use.

The fully traceable supply chain ensures transparency throughout the entire production process – from cleaning the oceans to the finished fabric. Sealife is thus an example of pioneering spirit in textile upcycling that combines ecological and social responsibility.

Conclusion: Fabrics as part of a holistic sustainability strategy

The four fabrics illustrate how differently sustainability can be interpreted in textile production – from recycling and upcycling to genuine circular processes.

Together, they share the goal of conserving resources, reducing emissions and making textile value chains more transparent. Such materials are an essential part of a comprehensive sustainability strategy that combines environmental responsibility, technical innovation and quality.

Whether recycled polyester, single-type separable blended fabrics or fabrics made from marine plastic – sustainable textiles are no longer just an option, but a standard for responsible product development in the modern office furniture industry.

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